"Karibu Sana"- Always Welcome In Bunda

It is with tired, but very happy hearts we report that we have finished our Helping Babies Breathe and Helping Children Thrive programming. What we have experienced over the past two weeks has been without a doubt life changing, for us, and for the people we have met and learned from.

Today we visited Manyamamanyama Health Center, which was a short distance away from where we are staying. It was a very important day as we met with the acting medical officer, and handed over all the equipment we fundraised for, to CPAR in Bunda. Following our meeting with the medical officer, we toured the facility to get an idea of how the health care team practices and what equipment they have access to.

The Helping Babies Breathe team trained 25 health care workers today, and the Helping Children Thrive team gathered with mothers and children to teach their teeth brushing songs, make friendship bracelets and sing and play together.

Once again in HBB training, we were excited to share knowledge with the local health care workers and learn about the resources they have. We are appreciative of the knowledge they gave us about health in Bunda. Throughout these two weeks, the HBB team has trained over 100 health care workers with tools to improve neonatal survival outcomes. We have taught in large private hospitals, small rural health centers, and mid-level referral centers. It has been a great experience to see what health looks like in the Bunda district. It has also been interesting to share the leadership experience interprofessionally among BScN’s, PN’s and Paramedics. We have learned a great deal from one another and have built on each other’s strengths.

As training ends, we know we will not see the result of our work, but we know from the health care workers who have shared with us, that it will change lives and that they are better equipped to help babies breathe. Through our partnerships with CPAR, the district commissioner, ministry workers and the acting medical officer, we know that our training has been successful because it is sustainable. Our utmost thanks is due to CPAR once again for making this training possible. 

This evening following dinner we exchanged thank you’s with the CPAR team, who we will miss dearly. One of CPAR’s staff asked us to pass our thanks to our family back home and to those who made it possible for us to deliver our programming. We are sad to be leaving Bunda. The hospitality has been phenomenal and the people are so warm and welcoming. We have shared friendships and laughs with the CPAR staff, our drivers, and our hotel staff.

 Professor Sherry said it best when she said the words she is taking away most from this trip is “karibu sana”, meaning  you’re welcome again. There are no goodbyes in Bunda, just karibu sana’s.

Tomorrow we look forward to having a day off as we head out onto the Serengeti for two days as we journey to Karatu and Longido.

Thinking of everyone back home today who has made this journey possible, and to our Algonquin College Community.

Asante sana,

Ainsley Saumure